Organic Cottons Wardrobe Challenge, Report 3

The first garment completed in my challenge, incorporates yarn from 2 of my tops knit last summer! Started with a quantity in my stash of two neutrals to work them into. Because I finished the garment, before starting this blog...no blow-by-blows of progress (are we GLAD, or SAD?).

I had a thought in my mind for this cardigan, using another designer's pattern.  But almost from the start, it wanted to be done differently. And so this is a personal design after all.

Elements considered along the way in designing and knitting (and yes, this was designed on the fly, right or wrong)...
~ Summer cotton yarn will not likely be worn when much warmth is needed.  So, 3/4 LENGTH SLEEVES.
~ HORIZONTAL STRIPES are the easiest way to add color. But too many, and it gets a "look" that is super sporty, makes me think of sailing. Since I get seasick, I would never need this for a sailboat ride.
~ The colorwork idea of INTARSIA briefly crossed my mind, but I've not done this yet. One challenge at a time. Stranded colorwork, I've also not done, but that will be attempted soon on another queued project! 
~ So, SLIPPED STITCH colorwork, I have done before, and that is what I decided on for the lower hem. Looking through stitch dictionaries landed me upon one I liked...it was promoted by the author as being wonderful in 2 colors, and also in 3 colors. Well, how perfect is that!
~ Lace, YES, always keeps it light for warm weather wearing. Even if I sacrifice for LOOKS to wear a sweater when it is a bit too warm, the lace deceives others into thinking I'm cool. SIMPLE EYELET selected, to not over-complicate things.
~ V-NECK, because one of the tops I hoped to wear with this has a diamond-pattern and v-keyhole
~ Working BOTTOM-UP and with SET IN SLEEVES, because I am supremely more comfortable with this construction. Also, it provides plenty of room to design on the fly.
~ And finally, I had no idea how I wanted the "STARTING" edges (hemline and sleeves) to be! And the last thing you want to have happen...is to finish a beautiful garment that has an ugly start! Opted for a provisional crochet cast-on. In fact, making the crochet chain in one of the yarn colors to be considered for the garment...that was a PLUS, because I could clearly see that PINK was not going to be a color I wanted to use, but GREEN definitely was.

Well...the rest is history, literally! You can see my finished item on Ravelry, if you are a member:

Organic Neutrals V-Neck Cardigan

And here it is worn with one of the original yarn tops: